See other bills
under the
same topic
PRINTER'S NO. 1686
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
328
Session of
2018
INTRODUCED BY SABATINA, FARNESE, FONTANA, SCHWANK, GREENLEAF,
DINNIMAN, BREWSTER, BROWNE, HUGHES AND RAFFERTY,
APRIL 23, 2018
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, APRIL 23, 2018
A RESOLUTION
Designating the week of April 23 through 27, 2018, as "Every Kid
Healthy Week" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania's future relies upon its youths; and
WHEREAS, More than 21% of this Commonwealth's total
population, approximately 2.7 million residents, are under 18
years of age; and
WHEREAS, Nearly 40% of Pennsylvania's children are considered
either overweight or obese; and
WHEREAS, The prevalence of Pennsylvania children considered
overweight or obese has decreased since 2008 because of healthy
initiatives; and
WHEREAS, Being overweight as a child increases the risk of
being obese as a young adult; and
WHEREAS, Childhood obesity is a major health epidemic facing
this Commonwealth, and these health concerns in turn lead to
higher health care costs that negatively impact Pennsylvania's
taxpayers; and
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
WHEREAS, Being overweight as a child can lead to serious
health problems such as heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, asthma,
sleep problems and low self-esteem; and
WHEREAS, Regular physical activity can produce long-term
health benefits; and
WHEREAS, One in six children in the United States is
overweight or obese; and
WHEREAS, According to the Physical Activity Guidelines for
Americans report issued by the United States Department of
Health and Human Services, children and adolescents benefit from
at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily through a
combination of aerobic, muscle strengthening and bone
strengthening activities; and
WHEREAS, Health benefits for children and adolescents
associated with regular physical activity include improved
cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness, improved bone health,
favorable body composition, reduced symptoms of depression and
improved academic performance; and
WHEREAS, Obesity and physical inactivity are not just limited
to an individual, but are directly linked to increasing public
and private health care costs; and
WHEREAS, Reversing the child and adolescent obesity epidemic
requires community involvement at all levels; and
WHEREAS, Less than one in three Pennsylvania youths meet
recommended levels of aerobic and muscle strengthening physical
activity; and
WHEREAS, In response to the health challenges facing
Pennsylvania's adolescents, many health clubs in this
Commonwealth have created programs targeting children and
adolescents, as well as specific programs for families to
20180SR0328PN1686 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
exercise and live healthier lives together; and
WHEREAS, Parents are a positive influence in helping their
children eat healthier food and become more physically active;
and
WHEREAS, Promoting healthy behavior fosters a healthy
population in general, reduces health care costs and provides a
healthier and more productive workforce; and
WHEREAS, In order to improve the quality of life for many
Pennsylvanians and prevent an increased burden on taxpayers, the
Commonwealth needs to develop a coordinated approach to the
problem of childhood obesity; and
WHEREAS, The General Assembly supports legislative and
regulatory initiatives that encourage the coordination of
activities to support physical activity and encourage all
Pennsylvanians to adopt a healthy lifestyle; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the week of April 23
through 27, 2018, as "Every Kid Healthy Week" in Pennsylvania.
20180SR0328PN1686 - 3 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17